Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

October 3, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Jose Cancel was born on October 3, 1991, and is an American drag performer notable for participating in the 10th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” where she finished fifth on the show’s 11th season. She goes by the stage name Miss Vanjie. In The first “RuPaul’s Drag Race” episode she appeared in, she was eliminated. She has also made appearances in a number of its spin-offs, such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Vegas Revue” and “RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race.” On her @vanessavanjie’ Instagram account, she has gathered over 1.1 million followers. She is a native of Tampa, Florida. We’ll help you celebrate Mateo’s special day right here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Jose Cancel

Nickname:

Miss Vanjie

Birth date:

October 3, 1991

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

5' 9"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$800 thousand

Background

Jose Cancel is Vanessa Vanjie Mateo’s real name. She was born on October 3, 1991, in Tampa, Florida. Her Zodiac sign is Libra. She is of American nationality and Puerto Rican heritage. She is the daughter of a drag performer — her drag parents are Alexis Mateo (Mother) and Jeffrey Kelley (Father). Jenavive and Victoria Mateo, Mateo’s sisters, are also members of the family empire (the Mateo Empire).

When “Drag Race season 3” and All-Stars alumna Alexis Mateo hired his daughter as a backup dancer, she began dressing her in drag. She was revealed to be one of the 14 competitors vying for the title on “RuPaul’s Drag Race’s” 10th season, which debuted on March 22, 2018. She made a cameo appearance as a Lip Sync Assassin in Episode five of “All-Stars 5,” competing against Shea Couleé in lip-syncing competition but losing. The cover of the September 2018 issue of “Gay Times” featured Mateo. She substituted for Raja and Raven on two episodes of the WOWPresents web series “Fashion Photo RuView” and was joined by Nina Bonina Brown. Mateo received homophobic abuse over a Mother’s Day social media post that was sponsored by Chips Ahoy on May 12, 2019. On June 21, 2018, Mateo released ‘I’m Vanjie,’ her debut single. On March 14, 2019, she made an appearance in the ‘Sally Walker’ music video by Iggy Azalea.

Her sexual orientation is homosexual. During the 11th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” she briefly dated fellow drag queen and reality T.V. competitor Brooke Lynn Hytes.

Career timeline

2018

Her Career Debut

Mateo officially launches her career when she is revealed to be one of the 14 participants vying for the title in "RuPaul's Drag Race's” 10th season.

2018

Gay Times Features Her

"Gay Times" features Mateo on their issue cover.

2018

She Releases Her Debut Single

Mateo releases her debut single titled 'I'm Vanjie.'

2019

In "Rupaul's Drag Race" Season 11

Mateo is selected as one of the 15 contestants for "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 11.

2019

She Appears on "Germany's Next Top Model"

Mateo appears in the 14th season of "Germany's Next Top Model'' along with Derrick Barry and Silky Nutmeg Ganache.

2019

Her Mother’s Day Post

Chips Ahoy sponsors her social media post for Mother's Day, which receives homophobic outrage.

2019

She Performs on "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

She performs on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" as a backup dancer.

Why We Love Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

Her drag queen performance
Mateo rose to prominence a few years ago. This was due to her appearances on "RuPaul's Drag Race's” 10th and 11th seasons.
Her passion for music
Mateo is very passionate about music. She is a musician and has also featured in Iggy Azalea’s music videos.
She is a fervent advocate for the L.G.B.T.Q.
Mateo's sexual orientation is homosexual. She is a staunch supporter of the L.G.B.T.Q. community.

5 Surprising Facts

She was the first to be eliminated
She was eliminated first on the show, following a lip sync battle with contestant Kalorie Karbdashian Williams to Christina Aguilera's 'Ain't No Other Man.'
She participated in "RuPaul's Drag Race" twice
She participated in "RuPaul's Drag Race's” 10th season and finished fifth in the show's 11th season.
She performs music as well
She is also a musician, she released her debut single titled 'I'm Vanjie' in 2018.
Her inspiration comes from her roots
Her Puerto Rican ethnicity has motivated Mateo to improve as a performer and entertainer.
"American Horror Story"
Mateo has been attempting to get herself cast on her favorite show, “American Horror Story.”